New Year’s is upon us once again! Resolutions are the first thing that come to mind. Resolutions can be an intimidating word because maybe in the past you have set some and not followed through. “Resolutions” can be better termed with the word “changes”. Every year it is just in the air to make changes whether they are for health, wealth or happiness. The most achievable change is the ones we can make for health. Health can lead to more happiness and satisfaction in our lives in many areas.

When people set up many resolutions (some that are hard to achieve) and they start to fail they tend to throw the whole concept of their resolutions out the window. If you eat fast food three times a day, sit at a desk for your job and are a couch potato at heart, why would you completely do a 180 and set up resolutions to never eat fast food again and exercise five times a day starting January? If you start to fail you are more likely to go back to the way you used to eat with no form of exercise. Instead a more achievable goal is to say that you will eat a healthy item when eating fast food and substitute fruit for fries, try to cook (food prep) one home-cooked healthy meal for the week, and exercise twice a week. This goal of change is more realistic and attainable.

Just remember to set SMART goals, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Be patient yet persistent with the new goals you have set and remember that you may slip up along the way but to get right back on track within two days. We are all human so to expect to break these bad habits overnight is not realistic. Changing habits should be a slow process.

“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out the window, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.”

-Mark Twain

Cheers and Happiest of New Year’s, 2016!